Jump to:

• ascension
  ascension

  noun

  the act of ascending; ascent.
• Ascension
  Ascension

  noun

  a British island in the S Atlantic Ocean: constituent part of St. Helena. 34 sq. mi. (88 sq. km).

ascension

¹ American  

[uh-sen-shuhn] / əˈsɛn ʃən /

noun

1. the act of ascending; ascent.

2. the Ascension, the bodily ascending of Christ from earth to heaven.

3. (initial capital letter) Ascension Day.

---

Ascension ² American  

[uh-sen-shuhn] / əˈsɛn ʃən /

noun

1. a British island in the S Atlantic Ocean: constituent part of St. Helena. 34 sq. mi. (88 sq. km).

---

ascension ¹ British  

/ əˈsɛnʃən /

noun

1. the act of ascending

2. astronomy the rising of a star above the horizon

---

Ascension ² British  

/ əˈsɛnʃən /

noun

1. New Testament the passing of Jesus Christ from earth into heaven (Acts 1:9)

---

Ascension ³ British  

/ əˈsɛnʃən /

noun

1. an island in the S Atlantic, northwest of St Helena: uninhabited until claimed by Britain in 1815. Pop: 884 (2010 est). Area: 88 sq km (34 sq miles)

---

Other Word Forms

• ascensional
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of ascension

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English ascencioun, from Anglo-French, from Latin ascēnsiōn-, stem of ascēnsiō, from ascēns(us) “climbed up” (past participle of ascendere “to climb up”; see ascend) + -iō -ion

Explanation

The word ascension describes the act of rising up through the air. When a plane takes off, it is in ascension, or rising up in the sky. The noun ascension derives from the Latin word ascendere, meaning "to mound, ascend, go up." You may have observed the ascension, or rising, of a star above the horizon with your telescope. Watching the ascension of a space shuttle up into the earth's atmosphere can be a thrilling experience. The ascension of a hot air balloon up into the sky can be a beautiful sight on a summer's evening.

Example Sentences

Ternus’ ascension to CEO, from his role as senior vice president of hardware engineering, is a reminder that Apple emphasizes products above all else.

From Barron's • Apr. 22, 2026

Bell's ascension was accelerated by England dropping seamer Cross last summer.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

One career is nearing its end while the other career is in ascension, but both should be acknowledged for the exuberance they bring to the game.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 21, 2026

I mean, one of the first controversies that surfaced after Trump’s initial ascension in 2016 centered around a photo shoot starring Kathy Griffin.

From Slate • Feb. 12, 2026

There was something happening in the country, in the black neighborhoods especially, that was conducive to the ascension of a brother like Marius to the corner soapbox.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides

Related Words

• ascent